Subic launches automated gate pass system
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) will roll out next month its electronic-to-mobile/import assessment system (e2m/IAS) at the country’s top two economic zones.
Starting February 16, locators at the Clark Development Corp and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will have to use the e2m/IAS. The same procedures already being implemented at the ports of Batangas, Limay, Manila and the Manila International Container Port will apply to the two ecozones.
To further facilitate the process, SBMA will launch at the same time an Automated Gate Pass Monitoring System where cargo owners can apply for their gate passes online.
The scheme is estimated to reduce queueing time and cost by 25-30%.
Under the separate initiative, SBMA locator-clients will have to present IAS papers from the BOC reflecting paid duties and taxes before they can apply for the gate pass.
e2m/IAS is designed to harmonize, rationalize, and streamline imports and exports processing and improve trade facilitation between the BOC and its stakeholders, including other government agencies through the development and integration of various systems that will allow an extensive use of e-commerce solutions towards a non face-to-face transaction procedures.
The implementation of IAS covers import entry lodgment through the value-added service providers, the Client Profile Registration System (CPRS); Electronic Manifest System; clearance of Formal Entry System (Consumption and Warehousing); use of Payment Abstract Secure System v. 5.0; application of non-cash payments, consisting of Tax Exemption Certificates (TEC), Import Entry Declaration, Tax Debit Memos (TDM), Import Entry Declaration (IED)/Advanced Payment and Deferred Payment of Government Accounts through the e2m Payment System; On-Line Release System; and License and Clearance System involving government agencies that are ready to upload their licenses, clearances and other authorizations to the e2m Customs.
To be eligible to transact in such a new Customs environment, importers/ brokers must have valid and active client customs number from the CPRS, bank account/s information and bank reference numbers of their authorized agent banks for electronic payment of customs duties and taxes (no cash, no checks), appropriate licenses/clearance/permits from concerned issuing agencies for their importation, applicable non-cash payment instruments (TDM, TEC and IED) and supporting documents in hard copies.
